We provide a dedicated service to support children and young people who are in care.
Our teams promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people in care by working closely with them and those involved in their care, including parents, foster carers, residential care providers, social workers, leaving care personal advisors, teachers, school nurses and health visitors, and any other health professionals involved in each child’s care.
We also arrange statutory health assessments for children looked after by either Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness, or those placed in Cumbria by another local authority.
The team consists of medical doctors, specialist nurses, health visitors and business support administrators which cover the East, West and South of Cumbria.
Named Nurse
Suzanne Beaty
Clinical Lead
Helen May
Community Paediatricians:
- Dr Deepak Upadhyay
- Dr Deirdre Boys
- Dr Su Ching Tan
- Dr Mahfud Ben Hamida
- Dr Astagi
-
Dr Amal Kona
5 to 19 specialist nurses:
- Andi Skinner
- Sue Falcon
- Sarah Parkhouse
0 to 5 health visitors:
- Catherine Walker
- Zoe Marshall
Business Support Administrators:
- Wayne Armstrong (Team Lead)
- Sam Barnham
- Mandy Dixon
- Tina Hooks
- Dawn Bryson
What is a health assessment?
A health assessment is a detailed talk about your health with a nurse or a doctor. It will help you understand your health history, to be healthy, and to have the knowledge to stay healthy.
These assessments are a good opportunity to make sure you're up to date with all health appointments, including immunisations, and to ask for further advice on different health topics, if needed.
It's your decision to have a health assessment, you can say no or stop it at any time, but remember its purpose is to help you to be as healthy as you can be.
Initial health assessment
An initial health assessment is the first health assessment you will be offered, usually within a 28 days of you coming into care. This is completed by a doctor, at various locations across the countyThey will ask you about your health and any concerns you may have. They may also ask your parent/carer and social worker about your health too.
They will check your height and weight, ask about your hearing and vision, ask about your visits to the dentist and if you have any concerns about your health or the way you are feeling.
You can be seen on your own, or a social worker, key worker or carer can come too if you prefer.
Health assessment review
A review health assessment is usually completed by a specialist nurse or health visitor at your home, in your school, or over the telephone. Children under the age of 5 will be seen 6 monthly, and those over the age of 5 will be seen yearly. As with the initial assessment, the nurse will ask you questions about your physical and emotional health and any concerns you may have. You will also have the opportunity to have your height and weight measured if you are comfortable with this and remember you can say no if you want to.
You can be seen on your own, or with your parent/carer/support worker or social worker. With your permission we will also speak to your parent/carer/support worker or social worker to make sure they are supporting you in being healthy.
Questions you'll be asked
Some of the questions can feel rather personal. We will ask (if age appropriate) about sexual health, puberty, alcohol and drug use and mental health, including self-harming behaviours. We'll also ask about your immunisations, dental and vision screenings, any allergies and medications, and your diet.
If you don't feel comfortable with the questions, or you want further explanations of why you're being asked, you can talk to the nurse completing the assessment with you. Please remember you do not have to answer any questions you don't want to.
For under 5’s the health visitor will also complete a developmental assessment by either using Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) or Schedule of Growth Assessment (SOGS).
For Over 5’s we will ask you, your carer or your teacher to complete a Strengths a difficulties Questionnaire.
After the assessment
Once the assessment has been completed, it will be written up and actions agreed with you to make sure that all your health needs are being met with a care plan. This care plan is to make sure that your health needs are being supported. Sometimes we will make a personalised care plan which will be attached to your assessment.
Sometimes we will need to make referrals to other services. If this is the case, we will discuss this with you, your carer or social worker.
Care leavers
We offer a personalised health summary/passport to all young people leaving care either at or after their final review health assessment. The summary documents your health history and health needs and it’s aim is to make sure you have the information you need in a care plan to manage your own health and wellbeing.
Sharing your information
Your assessment is confidential which means information will only be shared with your consent unless there is a serious risk of danger or harm to you or someone else. We will ask your consent to share a copy of your assessment along with the health recommendations for your care plan with your social worker and GP (doctor). It will also be shared with your carer.
If you do not want the assessment to be shared please tell your doctor or nurse, but remember it is helpful if the people caring for you and working with you know your health needs so they can support you.
Countywide number: 01228 608382
Your feedback is really important to us.
We are always looking at ways to improve our service and be better at our jobs therefore we would appreciate it if you could complete this short questionnaire.
Questionnaire
We are committed to providing excellent care, if you’ve had a bad experience we want to know. This gives us a chance to put things right, learn from the experience and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Making a complaint is quick and easy. Either contact us directly with the numbers listed above or contact PALS on 01228 814008 or PALS@ncic.nhs.uk